Most individuals regain at least 25% of weight lost within a year of discontinuing Zepbound (tirzepatide), according to recent research. More importantly, the study underscores that stopping the medication often reverses the metabolic health improvements achieved while on it. This finding reinforces the growing consensus among medical professionals that GLP-1 drugs like Zepbound may require indefinite use, much like treatments for chronic conditions.
Study Findings and Methodology
The analysis, funded by Eli Lilly (the maker of Zepbound), tracked approximately 300 participants with obesity and related health issues. Participants, primarily women with an average age of 47, had taken tirzepatide for 36 weeks, experiencing substantial weight loss and improvements in cardiometabolic markers such as waist circumference, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol levels.
The results were stark: 82% of participants regained at least 25% of their lost weight within one year of stopping the drug. Those with the most significant weight regain also saw the most dramatic reversal of their health gains, including increases in waist size, blood pressure, and adverse changes in cholesterol and blood sugar.
Why This Matters: The Chronic Nature of Obesity Treatment
This research highlights a critical reality: GLP-1 medications don’t “cure” obesity. They manage it. The moment the drug is stopped, physiological processes tend to revert, leading to weight regain. This is not unique to Zepbound; similar rebound effects have been observed with other GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy).
The implication is that these medications may need to be viewed as long-term, chronic treatments rather than temporary fixes. The economic and logistical challenges of indefinite use are substantial, but the study suggests that stopping the drug may be worse for long-term health than continuing it.
Maintaining Weight Loss: Lifestyle and Alternatives
Researchers acknowledge the need for further studies to determine how lifestyle factors (diet, exercise) influence weight regain after stopping GLP-1s. The current analysis did not comprehensively track these measures.
However, Dr. Spencer Nadolsky, an obesity medicine specialist, suggests several approaches to mitigate weight regain:
- Manufacturer Pricing: Direct negotiations with manufacturers could enable lower doses to be maintained at reduced costs.
- Generic Alternatives: Cheaper medications like phentermine and topiramate may help bridge the gap for those who cannot afford long-term GLP-1 use.
- Continued Monitoring: Regular medical check-ups can track weight regain and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
“These findings further cement the idea that GLP-1 medications are meant to be taken indefinitely, just like any other chronic disease medication for other chronic diseases,” says Dr. Nadolsky.
Ultimately, the study confirms that stopping Zepbound often leads to weight regain and a reversal of health benefits. This reinforces the idea that obesity treatment with GLP-1 drugs may be a long-term commitment, not a quick fix.
